2021 Final Rankings: New Additions
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Mark Lual Mark Lual 6'5" | PF Parkview Christian | 2021 State NE | PF | Parkview Christian Lual burst onto the scene this season scoring 15 points and over 5 rebounds per game. He can handle the ball well…
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Continue ReadingMark Lual Mark Lual 6'5" | PF Parkview Christian | 2021 State NE | PF | Parkview Christian
Lual burst onto the scene this season scoring 15 points and over 5 rebounds per game. He can handle the ball well enough to take the ball up the floor, and can stretch the floor very well (39% on 4 attempts per game). The lean and athletic wing has no issues throwing down some thunderous dunks too, in the half court or in transition.
Brayson Mueller Brayson Mueller 6'5" | SG Norris | 2021 State NE | SG | Norris
A big-bodied 3-and-D guard who also makes an impact on the glass. He shot 41% from deep as a senior, and 52% from two. He was terrific next to the playmakers Norris could rotate at point guard. He loves to trail the play and bomb it when the defense is backpedaling into position.
James Conway James Conway 6'3" | PF Millard West | 2021 State NE | PF | Millard West
Conway played the 4 and 5 this year, providing stout post defense and ability to guard the perimeter. He works his tail off on the court, and is always hyper-aware. In the Wildcat’s matchup against Bellevue West in the regular season, Conway did a great job of banging with William Kyle William Kyle 6'8" | C Bellevue West | 2022 State NE down low, and keeping up stride for stride in transition, which not many bigs succeeded at. He racks up deflections, plays great team defense, and takes care of the ball on offense.
Cade Rice Cade Rice 6'0" | CG Norris | 2021 State NE | CG | Norris
Rice could fill in at point guard or at the 2 for Norris, and fit comfortably in either role. He’s shifty, and can fly past you when he gets the angle. He averaged over 4 assists a game coming off the bench, and 7 points mostly off slashing and attacking the rim.
Isaac Heimes Isaac Heimes 6'0" | CG Norfolk | 2021 State NE | CG | Norfolk
The focus of opposing defenses is on Kallan Herman Kallan Herman 6'3" | CG Norfolk | 2021 State NE when facing Norfolk. That left a huge hole for someone to fill in and take advantage of the lopsided defense, and Heimes was the opportunist. When Herman’s options were eliminated and he swung the ball to Heimes, he quickly diagnosed the court and attacked the advantage. If the shot was there, Heimes could knock them down reliably.
Cardae Daniels Cardae Daniels 6'2" | SG Omaha Benson | 2021 State NE | SG | Omaha Benson
Daniels proved to be a skilled scorer at all three levels in his final season with the Bunnies. He can hang in the air for an abnormal amount of time, pick out a window to score through, and contort his body accordingly. The energy transfer in his jumper is very smooth from deep all the way into the basket. He can over-dribble at times, and is not much of a playmaker or others, but he knows how to get his own.
Sam Sorensen Sam Sorensen 6'6" | C Omaha Burke | 2021 State NE | C | Omaha Burke
Offensively speaking, Sorensen is a skilled and instinctual big. He has great feel for his defender’s position and balance, and can exploit it if the defender is off-kilter or flat-footed. The hook shot is there, and he can execute it even when contested thanks to his solid touch. He knows where to be on defense, and has a few tricks to help him stay glued, but outside of his initial positioning he doesn’t offer up much resistance.
Preston Pearson Preston Pearson 6'2" | CG Kearney | 2021 State NE | CG | Kearney
The over-used term “glue guy” comes to mind when I watch Pearson hoop. He cuts, rebounds, defends, and makes smart, quick decisions with the basketball. Not a topflight passer, but he consistently makes the connecting passes that keep an offense flowing and ahead of the defense. His post entry passing was some of the best I saw all year.
Easton Bruce Easton Bruce 5'9" | PG Kearney | 2021 State NE | PG | Kearney
Bruce has the right balance of patience and attack that all great scorers have. You won’t see him force many shots or try something he isn’t capable of doing. If the play is there, he quickly takes it. If not, he quickly moves the ball along until something presents itself. He shot 34% from deep on 6.5 attempts per game, and found space in the midrange with his aggressive drives into jumpstops.